Fourth of July: Liberty! (1775)

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Fourth of July: Liberty! (1775)

In 1775, Patrick Henry addressed the need to “arrive at truth” concerning a “painful” issue: Their government was lying. While pretending to care, the government was redirecting its resources against citizens. Petitions to correct abuses were ignored, mocked or met with retribution. Patrick Henry made “an appeal to arms and to the God of hosts.”

“They tell us, sir, that we are weak; unable to cope with so formidable an adversary. But when shall we be stronger? Will it be the next week, or the next year? Will it be when we are totally disarmed, and when a British guard shall be stationed in every house?…Sir, we are not weak if we make a proper use of those means which the God of nature hath placed in our power. The millions of people, armed in the holy cause of liberty, and in such a country as that which we possess, are invincible by any force which our enemy can send against us…Besides, sir, we shall not fight our battles alone. There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations, and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us. The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave.

Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace-- but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! …Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!”

“…All might be free if they valued freedom, and defended it as they ought.”-Samuel Adams

“…if my country should come into the hands of tyranny [I will] exert my faculties to the utmost to extricate her… the more she has plunged into distress, the more it is my duty to relieve her.” - Patrick Henry

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"Let us remember, that 'if we suffer tamely a lawless attack upon our liberty, we encourage it, and involve others in our doom.'" -Samuel Adams